Daycare center moves
from church's basement

By Jessica Shaw

Peaceful tunes serenaded sleeping 3-year-olds who napped on miniature beds on the newly constructed floor of the Yellow Brick Road educational daycare facility.

On Nov. 12, after years of planning and construction, the daycare program finally finished re-locating from the basement of R.E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church to a free-standing building near Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital.

“Everything is just brighter and fresher and cleaner,” said Debby Coffey, a teacher at YBR. “ The children have responded [to the move] very well.”

After decades of occupying space at the church, YBR purchased the new property in 2005. Director Glenn Deacon said the program needed more space, and it wanted to free the occupied space for the church to use for a new youth program.

Alicia Shires, whose son Michael, 4, attends YBR, said the new facility is cheerful compared to the church’s basement.

“It was kids on top of kids on top of kids” at the church, she said.

But Shires, who works at Washington and Lee University and was formerly secretary with the board of directors at YBR, said she misses the center being so close to campus.

For more than a year, the daycare center was split into two locations. Infants and children up to age 2 attended daycare at the new facility, while 3- to 6-year-olds continued to use the space at the church until the new facility was expanded. Two weeks ago marked the first time the age groups were reunited.

“We wanted to have everyone together,” Deacon said. “I think it’s good for the kids to have some interaction with the different age groups.”

Construction on the new facility began in September 2006. Students at Rockbridge County High School in a building trades class built four modules that were then delivered to the site. YBR hired subcontractors to do plumbing, electricity and carpentry.

Shires said that in the beginning they were afraid they would run out of money before completing the move. But the program received enough grants from R.E. Lee Episcopal, W&L and private foundations to help cover construction costs.

“After getting the grants, we were over the hump,” she said.

YBR was able to save a lot of money by utilizing student labor and receiving discounted materials from Spencer Home Center, said Shires.

YBR was founded in 1977 in a private home in Lexington. A few years later, it moved to the church, where it remained until the move to its new home. Deacon, who has worked for the program since 1984, said it is the only daycare facility in the area that provides all-day care.

The program employs 14 teachers and cares for up to 70 children.

“We try to provide a nurturing, caring environment,” a place where children can learn, develop at their own pace and have fun, Deacon said.

Tuition is $689 a month for children 2 years old or younger and $520 a month for children 3 to 5. Families that meet income qualifications can get scholarships as money becomes available. Funds for the scholarships come from the United Way and R.E. Lee Episcopal.

Tuition pays for most of the program’s costs, but the center still hosts several fundraisers throughout the year. Taster’s Choice, a big biennial fundraiser, will be held next year in Evans Dining Hall at W & L. Local chefs donate their time, and community members buy tickets to sample the dishes. The event typically raises between $12,000 and $15,000, according to Deacon.

Other fundraisers include yard sales and a cinnamon roll sale, where staff and parents sell desserts from home or in their workplace.

Deacon said YBR has seen significant success and usually has a long waiting list.

Based on the high volume of calls from people wanting to enroll their children, “I think we have a pretty good reputation,” he said.

Although the new location offers benefits, Deacon said there will be challenges.

“There are things we will certainly miss from our other location,” Deacon said. He said the program’s proximity to W&L and Virginia Military Institute were convenient. Volunteers who lack transportation might have trouble getting to the new building.

In the long-run, however, Deacon said, he hopes the new facility will fulfill its potential to maintain and develop its programs. He said it is really rewarding to see children grow and reach their potential.

Coffey said she loves to watch them learn and smile — the whole process.

“Then they come back years later,” she said, “and you see that you have done your best. We’re so blessed.”

YBR in Numbers

1977:
Founding year

Nov. 12, 2007:
Center moves to 410 Yellow Brick Road

70:
Number of children currently enrolled

14:
Number of teachers

$689:
Tuition paid per month by families with children younger than 2

$520:
Tuition paid per month by families with children older than 2

7:15 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Hours of operation